Nizhónígo Nee Ado’ááł (Have a beautiful day)
Lapita Frewin, Headstart Family Advocate
Headstart is currently enrolling students for the 2018-2019 school year. They are always looking for American Indian students to join their program. If you know of a Amercan Indian who has children ages 3-4, please pass along the information. Please contact Lapita Frewin for more information about the program or how to apply. Check out Headstart website to read more about enrollment and frequently asked questions.
On Monday, Title VI students from Nebo School District had the opportunity to attend the 19th Annual American Indian Student Leadership Celebration. Teachers, students, and Title VI Coordinators from Alpine, Provo, and Nebo School District were in attendance for the event.
UVU Faculty and Staff kindly hosted our students during their Spring Break. Providing break out educational sessions for the students to attend. Break out sessions included Introduction to Amerian Indian Law, a writing workshop, health professions panel, and digital story presentation. Lunch was also provided for each student.
Awards were given by the Nebo Title VI Program and the Utah State Board of Education. Some award categories were: academic achievement, high attendance, service learning, performing arts, athletics, arts and crafts, heritage language, and community projects. Many of our Nebo students were recognized for multiple categories. As many as 21 American Indian students from various Junior Highs and High Schools across Nebo School District were awarded. The Title VI Staff is very proud of each of the students for their accomplishments. Keep up the great work students!
First Ascent Scholars, a Jeff and Helen Cardon Foundation and David Eccles School of Business partnership, cultivates, encourages and enables academically focused students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds to:
Scholars are expected to give back to the broader community through volunteer work, engagement in First Ascent activities, and in their academic commitment at the Eccles School.
In return, the First Ascent Scholarship provides the opportunity for incoming college freshmen to engage in all college has to offer. Scholarship funds cover unmet financial need, room and board, fees, health insurance (if needed), tutoring costs, travel and more, to help scholars focus on achieving their academic best.
APPLICATION NOW OPEN!
Eligible students: · Current high-school senior · Applied or will apply to the University of Utah (scholarships will only be awarded to students admitted to the University of Utah) · Demonstrated interest in business · Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higherApplication deadline is April 10, 2018.
To learn more about the program check out their videos (program & student profiles) or website.
Patrick Willie is a local American Indian who Hoop Dances competitively. He was taught many past Title VI students how to hoop dance and currently helps our Title VI Parent Committee with regalia projects. He volunteered his time and talent to 27 different schools in honor of Native American Heritage Month in November 2017. Some of the schools he volunteered at were in Nebo School District, primarily at Elementary schools. He does not have his own transportation, so he biked (200 plus miles) to a majority of these presentations.
He presented at Riverview Elementary during the month of November to the Kindergarten classes. A current kindergartener who attended Patrick's presentation said, "It was really cool", and she went on to add, "My whole class was smiling while he danced." It's wonderful to see positive role models making a difference in the education of our youth.
Congrats to Rose Quintana (Nebo School District/Title VI Alumni) for receiving a $10.000 grant from the Running Strong Organization to use towards the Nebo Title VI Program. We are so proud of you, and excited for the wonderful activities you have planned for Title VI Youth and Families! Here is the full list of 2018-2019 Dream Starter Receptions.
Last Thursday, students and families across Nebo School District gathered at Larsen Elementary to learn about Native American culture and history. This event included something for the whole family. For the adults and teens, featured guest speaker Julius Chavez captured the audience's attention with his knowledge and expertise about Native American origin stories and constellation stories. He performed several songs and explained the meaning behind those songs. For the children, there was warm fluffy frybread to enjoy, and they were able to see a demonstration of the origin of the cradleboard (a board to which an infant is strapped into). Overall the event provided entertainment, performances, yummy food, and good company.
Over 50 students from various Junior High and High School showed up to the event. Many students brought a close friend with them or their parents. A majority of the students who came to the event came from Maple Mountain High School.
Nebo Title VI Parent Committee and community members we able to make over 100 Indian Tacos for patrons of this event, and spent a lot of time outside of this event preparing the food, and organizing the event. As always, Brenda Beyal amazed those in attendance with her magical frybread making skills. All the proceeds from this event are going towards our scholarship fund. So far, the Nebo Title VI Program has given away 40 scholarships over the years.
Current and alumni Title VI students performed several different songs and stories for the event. Some songs included the "Navajo Puppy Song", "Who Is My Mother", and an original song written by Rosebud Quintana called, "Be Proud of Who You Are." Some dances included Navajo Basket and Navajo Sashbelt Dance. All of the students who participated and performed did a wonderful job.
A special thank you to all the Elementary and Secondary Teachers who announced this event in their classrooms and even allowed their students to get extra credit for attending. Also, thank you so much to the many community members who donated their time, and even donated food for the Indian Taco Sale. It was truly a group effort that made this event possible.
Please take a look at the video below. Spanish Fork Channel 17 flimed this event, and highlighted some aspects of the night.